No Child Left Behind: A Review
A Complete Guide to NCLB for Parents, Educators and Advocates
Pete and Pam Wright of Wrightslaw.com team with Suzanne Heath in this reference to clarify the No Child Left Behind Act.
A Guide for the No Child Left Behind Act
Although the intent behind the No Child Left Behind Act -- to ensure that all public school children are proficient in reading and math by the year 2014 -- is noble, this lengthy and sometimes confusing document is the subject of much debate.
Never ones to back down from a challenge, authors Pete and Pam Wright along with Suzanne Heath wrote their Harbor House Law Press title Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind in 2002 as a reference guide for parents, child advocates, educators and administrators who need to negotiate the law as they provide educational services to America's children. Now in it's third printing, it continues to be a valuable sourcebook.
Strategies for Advocacy and Compliance
The Overview and Frequently Asked Questions chapters in this guide answer basic questions about the "new responsibilities and requirements for states, school districts and schools." From accountability to safe schools to teacher qualifications to testing, the Wrightslaw guide simplifies the language of an otherwise cumbersome piece of legislation.
In addition to including the history behind the NCLB, the Wrightslaw title includes the full text of the No Child Left Behind Act. More importantly, however, the book provides specific guidance of how No Child Left Behind affects parents, teachers, administrators, attorneys, and various school leaders. In simple but thorough language, the authors provide comprehensive analysis and interpretation of each element of the No Child Left Behind Act. Additionally, the book provides visual cues so that readers can easily identify overviews, resource publications, cross-reference material and internet resources.
Sample Letters
In addition to extensive explication of the elements of NCLB, the guide provides priceless advice on letter writing for a variety of purposes:
- To obtain information
- To request action
- To report a problem or file a complaint
Furthermore, a full chapter is dedicated to helping individuals who may need to file a complaint with a Regional Representative of the U.S. Department of the Education. In this chapter, the authors discuss how individuals can craft complaint letters that get results. For instance, they suggest quickly and clearly presenting the letter's purpose, major point(s), and any specific requests so that busy Regional Representatives will be able to help. Additionally, the guide stresses the use of concise language and personal but professional tone in all correspondence.
In addition, fifteen sample letters provide specific templates for a variety of purposes related to No Child Left Behind. For instance, one sample letter is from a parent who objects to the retention of a child with a disability. Another is written from the perspective of a member of the military seeking information on the Troops-to-Teacher program. Still others are for teachers or administrators requesting information from the US Department of Education.
In all, the Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind guide is an excellent legal reference for individuals who seek to provide effective education for individual students within the constraints of the NCLB Act.
